Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”